Without exchanging a single word—or even glancing at one another—Naruto-kun and Sasuke moved in perfect synchronization. One dashed left while the other veered right, both charging directly toward the Grass Village ANBU standing at the front line.
The ANBU were elite ninja forces found in every hidden village. No matter how small or large the village was, the ANBU served as its covert military unit.
Of course, the standards for joining differed from village to village.
In some places, only Chunin-level shinobi could qualify. In stronger nations, even Special Jonin, Jonin, and Elite Jonin became part of the ANBU ranks. Konoha's ANBU, for example, had once included monsters such as Kakashi Hatake, Yamato, and even Uchiha Itachi.
Because of that, no one could underestimate a coordinated ANBU squad. Even an experienced Jonin would hesitate before fighting seven or eight ANBU members at once.
However…
Not every village possessed Konoha's level of talent.
The Grass Village was still just a minor hidden village.
This difference had already become obvious during previous Chunin Exams. Villages such as the Hidden Rain, Takigakure, Kusagakure, and Otogakure often sent large numbers of participants and performed decently during the early rounds, but when the final stages arrived, almost none of them remained.
Aside from Konoha, only the Hidden Sand consistently produced shinobi capable of reaching the finals.
The Chunin Exams truly reflected the strength of each nation.
Although the Grass Village ANBU members were at least Chunin-level fighters, their overall strength was far inferior to the elite ninja produced by a great nation like Konoha.
Among them, Nanaki and Mushi were considered the strongest, yet even they were probably only around Special Jonin level.
Naruto-kun suddenly burst forward with explosive speed.
"The Leaf Great Hurricane!"
His body spun violently as he unleashed a devastating kick. The tremendous force slammed directly into one of the ANBU members and sent him flying into the air like a cannonball.
As Naruto continued developing, the increase in his abilities was no longer limited to chakra reserves, vitality, and healing. His physical strength and taijutsu had also grown tremendously.
Sasuke refused to fall behind.
Quickly weaving hand seals, he gathered chakra into his chest before opening his mouth.
"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"
A torrent of blazing fire erupted forward.
This was a powerful Fire Release technique inherited from Jiraiya himself. By combining fire with the unique oil-based chakra techniques of Mount Myoboku, the flames became several times more destructive than ordinary fire-style ninjutsu.
Jiraiya had once used this very technique to instantly destroy one of Pain's giant summoned creatures.
The flames roared across the battlefield and instantly swallowed two Grass Village ANBU members.
"AAAHHH!"
Both men screamed in agony as they desperately rolled across the ground, but the burns covering their bodies were already severe.
The remaining ANBU immediately retaliated.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet!"
Several ninjutsu techniques shot toward Team 7 simultaneously.
Although the Grass Village shinobi were individually weaker than Naruto-kun and Sasuke, they intended to make up for the difference through superior numbers.
Naruto-kun grinned.
"Sasuke!"
"Hn."
Without needing further explanation, Sasuke already understood what Naruto intended.
The two released chakra at the same time.
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
"Fire Release: Great Flame Bullet!"
One was Kakuzu's devastating long-range Wind Release technique.
The other was an immensely destructive Fire Release technique inherited from one of the Legendary Sannin.
The instant they merged together—
BOOM!!!
The wind amplified the flames into a monstrous inferno that surged across the battlefield like a natural disaster.
The ground trembled violently beneath the explosion. The deafening roar sounded like thunder splitting apart the heavens themselves.
The Grass Village ANBU were horrified.
Their own ninjutsu were instantly crushed by the overwhelming combined attack.
The sea of flames advanced unstoppably toward them.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
The ANBU desperately attempted to defend themselves.
But it was useless.
BANG!!!
The defensive walls shattered instantly under the overwhelming force.
Five or six Grass Village ANBU members were blown away at the same time, crashing violently across the rocky terrain. Screams echoed throughout the valley as smoke and dust filled the battlefield.
Watching from nearby, Karin stared in complete disbelief.
"They're… they're so strong…"
"Who exactly are these people…?"
At that moment, Mushi and another ANBU member suddenly split away from the battlefield and rushed toward Karin from opposite directions.
"Forget fighting them head-on!"
"Capture the woman first!"
Hinata immediately stepped forward.
Her stance lowered gracefully as she raised both hands.
The Eight Trigrams formation appeared beneath her feet.
The Byakugan activated instantly.
Mushi and the other ANBU member hurled countless shuriken toward her.
However, Hinata calmly deflected and dodged every single projectile with precise chakra control.
The two enemies seized the opening and attempted to grab Karin.
Hinata's eyes sharpened.
Gentle Fist chakra burst from her fingertips as she struck out simultaneously.
"Eight Trigrams: Gentle Fist!"
BAM! BAM!
Both attacks landed perfectly.
Yet strangely, the two ANBU members smirked coldly.
"You think we came unprepared?"
"We already know everything about Konoha's Hyuga Clan!"
The torn fabric covering their bodies split apart, revealing steel armor hidden underneath.
Hinata's expression changed.
"So that armor blocks the chakra strikes aimed at your tenketsu…"
The Gentle Fist specialized in targeting chakra points and internal organs. Heavy armor could weaken some of its effects.
The ANBU members sneered arrogantly.
But then—
Hinata slowly inhaled.
Her expression became firm and determined.
"Don't underestimate me."
"This is the strength I inherited from my master!"
The chakra surrounding her fist changed instantly.
The originally soft and flowing Gentle Fist suddenly transformed into something overwhelmingly violent.
"Monster Strength…"
"EXPLODE!!!"
BOOOOM!!!
A terrifying shockwave erupted from Hinata's tiny fist.
The sheer force distorted the air itself.
The two ANBU members were blasted away like broken dolls. Their bodies smashed directly into the nearby mountainside with a thunderous crash.
Crack!!!
Massive boulders shattered apart upon impact.
Even the steel armor protecting them caved inward completely, crushed into twisted metal.
"Pffft—!"
The two men coughed up huge mouthfuls of blood simultaneously before collapsing motionless against the rocks.
Karin froze in shock.
"I thought this gentle-looking girl was the weakest among them…"
"How is she this terrifying?!"
Even Naruto-kun looked stunned before bursting into laughter.
"Haha! Hinata, amazing!"
Hinata's face immediately turned bright red.
The same small hands that had just smashed two armored shinobi into a mountain now shyly covered her face.
"N-Naruto-kun…"
Karin looked speechless.
"The difference between them and ordinary ninja is insane…"
In just a few short minutes, Team 7 had completely defeated seven or eight Grass Village ANBU members.
To Karin, it felt almost unreal.
But in truth, the result made perfect sense.
Naruto-kun already possessed combat power comparable to a Jonin. With his recent growth, he was gradually approaching the level of an Elite Jonin.
After training under legendary masters like Jiraiya and Tsunade, Sasuke and Hinata had also improved dramatically. Both were now nearing true Jonin level themselves.
Against enemies who were only Chunin or Special Jonin rank, Team 7 barely needed to exert themselves.
Hinata calmly walked across the battlefield and sealed the chakra points of each defeated ANBU member, ensuring none of them could continue fighting or pursue the group later.
After finishing, she turned toward Naruto-kun.
"Alright, Naruto-kun."
"They can't stop us anymore."
"So what should we do next?"
Naruto scratched the back of his head awkwardly before glancing toward Karin.
"I want to bring her back to Konoha."
"What do you two think?"
Sasuke remained silent, offering neither approval nor objection.
Hinata simply nodded gently.
"If that's what Naruto-kun wants, then I agree."
Naruto immediately grinned brightly.
"Great!"
He stepped toward Karin.
"Your name is Karin, right?"
"This is actually the first time I've met someone from the same clan as me…"
Karin blinked repeatedly, still unable to process everything that had happened.
These strangers had suddenly appeared, defeated the Grass Village ANBU with overwhelming strength, and then offered to take her away from this nightmare.
Her eyes gradually turned red with emotion.
"Thank you…"
Hinata quietly watched Naruto-kun smiling so warmly at Karin.
For some reason, seeing that smile made the feelings in her heart deepen even further.
But suddenly—
Hinata's Byakugan detected something.
Her eyes widened instantly.
The color drained from her face.
Naruto immediately noticed the change.
"Hinata?"
"What's wrong?"
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